Page 56 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2025

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
When Cold Weather Hits, Look Deep for Big Action
story and photos by John N. Felsher
Many sportsmen forget about fishing at this time of year, but anglers might hook into some of the most powerful fish found in inshore waters.
Black drum can weigh more than 110 pounds. Eddie Hansen holds the Mississippi state record at 70 pounds, five ounces. On light tackle, these mighty leviathans of the bays can put on a spectacular line-stretching fight that can heat up any chilled angler even on the coldest days. Sheepshead can weigh more than 20 pounds and seriously test the toughest tackle and anglers. Roy Groue, Jr. holds the state record for these toothy scrappers at 19 pounds, 10 ounces. Both species stay active during the winter.
Drum might eat just about any natural baits, including whole or chunked fish, squid, live mullets, minnows, pogies or
other baitfish. However, drum particularly like shellfish and crustaceans. They relish clams, oysters and shrimp, but savor crabs most of all.
During cold weather, drum seek the deepest water they can find. Look for deep holes. For the biggest drum, toss a whole fresh blue crab into the deepest water. Leave the top shell attached, but crack it so irresistible juices ooze out of it. Drum might also hit a small live crab or crab halves. On a crab half, insert the hook into the soft joint where the fin connects to the body and push it out through one of the leg holes.
Although not quite as deep as drum, sheepshead also go the depths during winter. The best fishing for sheepshead occurs around deep structures during colder months when larger prespawn fish congregate in huge numbers wherever they can find barnacles.
Before spawning, sheepshead “feed up” to build up their
56 | February 2025
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